I have been doing some research on struts for 5th gen Maxima – more specifically Tokico Performance (Blues) and KYB GR2/AGX. I have a 2k2 with MaxSpeed springs which lowered the car about 1.25” in the front and .75” in the rear.

I am using the Tokico’s in the front (very happy with them) and tried using the 4th Gen AGX in the rear and I am not happy with the fit. The spring does not sit right on the perch and causes the metal end of the spring to grind on the side of the perch when going over larger bumps - even with the stock sleeve on the bottom of the spring. Also, the dust boot is almost touching, if not touching, the one side of the spring. Just overall not a great fit. The ride is awesome, but the fit is just not for me.

So while researching which rears to get, I have received some excellent information. All information was received from contacts at the respective companies.

Tokico Performance:
- Typically valved at 15-20% stiffer than stock struts
- Can handle lowering springs
- May get some bounce on higher spring rate (not exactly sure how high) springs

KYB:
- GR2 are typically valved at 15-20% stiffer than stock struts
- Can handle lowering springs
- May get some bounce on higher spring rate (not exactly sure how high) springs
- Only springs KYB recommend are Eibach ProKit (for either GR2 or AGX)
- Front AGX settings:
- 1 = valved to factory setting
- 2 = valved the same as GR2 (15-20% higher than 1)
- 3 = valved 50% higher than 2
- 4 = valved 30% higher than 3
- Rear AGX settings:
- 1 = valved a little softer than factory (5%)
- 2 = valved to factory setting
- 3 = valved between 2 and 4
- 4 = valved the same as GR2 (15-20% higher than 2)
- 5 = valved between 4 and 6
- 6 = valved 50% higher than 4
- 7 = valved between 6 and 8
- 8 = valved 30% higher than 6

Basically, the Tokico Performance and the KYB GR2’s have very similar performance characteristics. I guess it comes down to which manufacturer you like better. They both have lifetime warrantees and appear to offer the same level of performance.

The AGX is obviously a more flexible shock, but may be over kill for some applications. As noted here on the org, the 5th gen AGXs are scheduled to be in the 2003 KYB catalog. The Tokico Illuminas (adjustable like AGX) are not scheduled for release – according to the person at Tokico I talked to. Being that the 4th gen Illuminas just got released not to long ago, it may also take some time.

Hope this helps,
Brian

 

thank you! this info is valuable!

 

There is no way the AGX setting of 1 and 2 front and rear respectivly is the same as the factory setup. NO WAY!!! They are much firmer then stock. My 99 SE had only 25K on the stock struts and rode very nice and tight. When I put the AGX's in the ride changed dramatically. (for the better that is ) Even a test drive in a brand new 02 or 03 SE is no where near as tight as my AGX ride. Not even close.

I just put Tokico blues in my buddies I30. Nice strut, smooth, quiet and firm. But not even close to the firmness of the AGX's set on 1 all around. They feel more like a stock ride to me. The AGX's on the other hand scream performance!

 

These were numbers provided to me by KYB. If he tells me that the GR2 are valved the same as an AGX on 4 (for rear) - there is nothing I can argue. I hope he knows his product.

However, the numbers that correspond to stock settings are based on an average and will vary from mfr to mfr. Maybe ours are softer than average? or stiffer than average? - just not sure.

I think the main thing I take away from this is where the GR2 comes into play. I have the AGX on 3 in the rear now and it is really good. Even if the GR2 is more like a 3 or 2, it will be just right for me.

Brian

 

ditto

 

I didn't mean to doubt the post Brian, it's excellent info. But my real world experiance tells me something different.

I really like that fact that KYB recomends the Eibach Pro Kit. That in itself is great to know.

Good research my man...

 

Thanks.

I will let you know on the rear GR2's as well. I received them today and will be installing them on Saturday. I have the AGX set at 3 right now and it is really good. If the GR2 give me comparable performance, I will be a happy man. For $60 a shock, I am hoping that this is a great alternative for most people’s applications (where AGX may be an overkill).

Brian

 

BRIAN thanks so much for your explanation. Lots of people here do not know or believe in KYB GR2's. I had them on my 93 Maxima, with Eibach pro- kit and they handled damn good. The GR2's are good for Eibachs....hope 5th Gen people realize this... the only thing i do know is they will not last long as the AGX.

 

Maybe add this to the FAQ??
Good stuff.

 

I'm considering using GR2's with H&R springs since I'm tired of waiting for the true 5th gen AGX's. I'll probably never adjust the settings more than once anyway. What do you mean by "will not last as long"? Will they crap out at 10K miles or do you think they could last up to 30K-50K miles even on horrible MI roads?

 

I can't believe your running 2 completley different shocks on two vary different parts of the car and trying to compare them.

 

I am running Tokico Blues in the front - I am happy with them. I wanted to try the AGX to give me some more support in the rear, but I just cant accept the way the springs fits on them. I am doing the GR2's because the place I got the AGX's from does not carry Tokico. Since I need to return the AGX, I have to get the GR2.

In doing the research on this I found that the GR2 and Tokico are valved identically. I am not concerned in the least about running 2 different manufacturers for my car.

If I had known what I know now, I would have gotten all Tokico or all GR2 up front (just to keep them all the same). I hope that this experience will save someone else this same mistake.

Brian

 

what shocks would go well with ground control coilvoers???

 

I ordered my KYB AGX's today from Cattman but they are on backorder. I should have them installed within the next couple of weeks. I'll let you know how it goes. But don't confuse the bad Eibach press with the coilovers. The problem has ben with how it sits on the perch. We should be okay.....I think.

 

I would think the only shocks that could handle the aggressive spring rate on the GC's would be the AGX/Illumina or Konis. I am not sure if there is a Koni application for the 5th Gen yet.

Brian

 

well my brother had them on his 90 maxima and they lasted 5 straight years, but AGX and Toks i think have lifetime..

 

bro you been asking this same questions all the time in different ways. don't u get it by now?????? ground control coilovers needs the stiffest shocks/struts for the spring rate you can get, so why even ask so many many many times....damn do some search man...u know better...we chat b4 when i did my agx..

 

nope....the front koni are the insert that means the front struts need to be cut open and u have to cut it off a bit since 4th gen strut are a bit shorter. the rear I heard it is the same.

the closest thing we have is cattman's modded AGX. illumina is not avail. for maxima and a lot of work for koni